Mounting structure for comb of dry shaver

ABSTRACT

In a dry shaver having a moving cutter engaging a comb or reticulate foil, the comb is held against the interior of a mounting compartment in the shaver case by means of permanent magnets. The engagement between the foil and the walls of the mounting compartment is such that the foil can move over a limited excursion in a direction tangential to the wall. The engagement between the foil and the wall is such as to prevent accidental disengagement therebetween, but is not so strong as to prevent removal of the comb from the wall when such is desired.

United States Patent [191 ()guchi Mar. 25, 1975 MOUNTING STRUCTURE FORCOMB 0F 3.440.725 4/1969 Messinger/ 30/4391 DRY SHAVER 3,660,894 5/1972Sand 30/74 [75] lnventor: lsao Oguchi, Okaya, Japan [73] Assignee:Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha,

Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 345,411

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 27, I972 Japan 47-36044 [52]US. Cl. 30/43.91 [51] Int. Cl B26b 14/04 [58] Field of Search 30/43,43.1, 43.3, 43.8, 30/4391, 74, 346.51, 43.92, 43.5

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,109,507 3/1938 Salz30/4392 2,200,l86 5/1940 Muros 30/4392 Primary E.\aminerAl LawrenceSmith Assistant Etaminer-Gary L. Smith Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Blum,Moscovitz, Friedman & Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT In a dry shaver having amoving cutter engaging a comb or reticulate foil, the comb is heldagainst the interior of a mounting compartment in the shaver case bymeans of permanent magnets. The engagement be tween the foil and thewalls of the mounting compartment is such that the foil can move over alimited excursion in a direction tangential to the wall. The engagementbetween the foil and the wall is such as to prevent accidentaldisengagement therebetween, but is not so strong as to prevent removalof the comb from the wall when such is desired.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] HARZS I975 sum 1 9 2 O0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PATENTED AR 251975 ojyopooo'l 4'0000- 000000 0000 O O O O O o oo booooo MOUNTINGSTRUCTURE FOR COMB OF DRY SHAVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the useof a'dry shaver such as an electric shaver, it frequently occurs thatthe user varies the pressure with which he applies the shaver to hisskin. Under such circumstances, it is necessary that the comb be soconstructedthat it can yield to a certain extent in order to ensure thata close shave is achieved without irritating the skin. In certain typesof conventionaldry shavers the comb itself is somewhat flexible andresilient. For the shaver to be effective, the cutter must make smoothsliding contact with the interior of the-comb. If the comb is depressedat a portion thereof, the vibrating cutter may snag on theinteriorsurface of the comb causing the comb to vibrate with the cutter. Thesharpness of the cutter can be adversely affected and the quality of theshave obtained therewith degraded. Moreover, an unpleasant sound isgenerated and the comb itself may be damaged.

If an exterior shock is accidently applied to the comb, it may separatefrom the comb holder and the entire body of the shaver may be subjectedto severe vibration. Sucha phenomenon'is more apt to occur after theshaver has aged, at which point the spring force of the comb itself mayhave deteriorated.

There are also types of conventional shavers in which the comb holder isso designed that it moves with the comb. However, such a structure isgenerally quite complex and the number of parts involved is large,increasing the possibility of failure for one reason or another.Furthermore, with such a construction, beard fragments removed by theshaver enter the join between the comb holder and the comb, such alocation being difficult to clean unless the comb is removed from theholder. This again involves an additional operation which is both timeconsuming and apt to cause damage to the components involved if the useris not deft in taking the shaver apart and reassembling same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a dry shaver, a flexible comb engages acutter and the ends of the foil are held against the interior surfacesof side walls ofa compartment of the shaver. The comb is held slidablyagainst the interior walls of the said compartment by means of magnetswhich may be secured in the side walls, the side walls being of anon-ferromagnetic material such as a plastic, while the comb is made ofa ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, the side walls of thecompartment may be of a ferromagnetic material and the magnet may bebonded proximate the ends of the comb. In still another embodiment theend portions of the comb are made, at least partly, of a ferromagneticmaterial while the rest of the comb is ofa non-ferromagnetic materialand the comb is held slidably against said side walls by magnetstherein. Preferably, that surface of each magnet which is to hold an endportion of the comb should be flush with the inner surface of asidewall. The magnets should be of such strength as to permit sliding of theend portions of the comb across'same under moderate pressure such as isapplied during shaving. However, the magnets should be sufficientlystrong to prevent the end portions of the comb from drawing away fromsame in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnets.

Slots within the end portions of the comb and matching pins mounted onthe inner surfaces of said side walls, said pins fitting into saidapertures, provide for a limited excursion of said comb with said combends in the direction of pressure applied to the comb during shaving.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a dryshaver having improved means for holding a comb thereof in engagementwith a cutter.

Another object of the present invention is a dry shaver having improvedmeans of holding the comb thereof in a holding compartment in the caseof the dry shaver.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dryshaver wherein interference with the cutter as the result of increasedpressure against the skin of the individual shaving is avoided.

Still another object of the present invention is an improved dry shaverwherein the comb can move within the holding compartment of said shaverin response to variations in pressure applied by the individual usingsuch shaver.

Yet another object of the present invention is an improved dry shaverhaving a comb which is easily removed for replacement or for cleaning ofsaid shaver and easily replaced in position.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties, and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference is had to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dry shaver in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional viewtaken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a dry shaver including an alternate combholding means constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a dry shaver including another alternativecomb holding means constructed 'in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a dry shaver including still anotheralternative comb holding means constructed in accordance with theinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, takenalong line B-B thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the presentinvention a case 1 containing driving means (not shown) has a vibratingcutter 4 supported on a vibrator 2 connected to said driving meansthrough upper opening 3. Cutter 4 is held in close engagement with comb6 by cutter spring 5 mounted on vibrator 2. The spring constant ofspring 5 is such that while it holds cutter 4 firmly against comb 6,comb 6 is held against cutter 4 slidably.

End portions 14 of comb 6 fit within the holding compartment formed byside walls 7 and end walls 15 (FIG. 2). End portions 14 of comb 6 areheld strongly but slidably and removably against the inner surfaces ofmagnets 12. Magnets 12 are of the permanent type and are disposed inrecesses 11 so that they are preferably flush with inner surfaces 8 ofside walls 7.

Movement of comb 6 in an inward and outward direction with reference tothe holding compartment formed by side walls 7 and end walls is providedfor by means of pins 9 mounted on wide walls 7 fitting into slots 10 incomb 6. The slots in combination with the pins limit the excursion ofthe comb 6 to the distance between the top of pin 9 and the top of slot10, this distance being indicated by the reference numeral 13. Sincecutter 4 is also mounted on vibrator 2 for motion in a verticaldirection with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, both comb 6 and vibrator 4can move inward and outward in response to changes in pressure againstthe skin applied by the individual shaving, comb 6 and cutter 4maintaining optimum engagement therebetween so that snagging of thecutter on the comb is avoided and so that the quality of the shaveprovided by the dry shaver is not degraded.

In the embodiment as just described, side walls 7 are taken to benon-ferromagnetic while comb 6 is assumed to be ferromagnetic, as aresult of which magnets 12 hold end portions 14 of comb 6 in slidableand removable engagement. However, FIG. 1 can just as readily representa shaver in which side walls 7 are ferromagnetic, comb 6 is of anon-ferromagnetic material such as some of the stainless steels, andmagnets 12 are bonded to end portions 14 of comb 6. Finally, in yetanother embodiment, only end portions 14 are ferromagnetic while theremainder of comb 6 is non-ferromagnetic. The portion of comb 6 which isferromagnetic could be a separate strip of steel or nickel embedded inor attached to end portions 14 of comb 6.

In the embodiment in which the side walls 7 are nonferromagnetic andmagnets 12 are embedded therein, the attraction between magnets 12 andend portions 14 of comb 6 can be increased by magnetizing end portions14. In carrying out such magnetization of end portions 14 it would benecessary to reverse the polarities of the magnets formed therein withrespect to magnets 12. In other words, each north pole in an end portion14 should be adjacent a south pole in a magnet 12 and vice versa. Thisarrangement is particularly desirable in that it assists in maintainingthe magnetic strength of magnets 12 at or near their original values.Needless to say, the presence of ferromagnetic material adjacent tomagnets 12 helps to maintain the magnetic strength thereof.

Illustrative of the foregoing embodiments, reference is had to FIGS.3-6. In the following description, substantially identical parts areidentically numbered. Referring now to FIG. 3, side walls 7 of shavercase 1 is fabricated of molded plastic. Overlying end portions 14 ofcomb 6 is a ferromagnetic material which is connected to respective endportions 14. Comb 6, however, is fabricated of non-magnetic material.The embodiment operates in the manner described above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, side walls 7 of case 1 are fabricated of aferromagnetic material. A permanent magnet 12 is connected to theinterior surface of each respective end portion 14 of comb 6. Thisembodiment also operates in the manner described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a magnetized comb reinforcing plate 17is connected to the exterior surface of each respective end portion 14of comb 6. The polarity of each magnetized comb reinforcing plate 17 isshown in phantom line by the designations *S" and N. Plates 17 enhancethe attraction between comb 6 and permanent magnets 12 and alsoreinforce end portions 14 of comb 6. As may be observed from theFigures, permanent magnets 12 are located in respective recesses 11 sothat respective N and S-poles thereof are proximate respective S andN-poles of plates 17. According to this embodiment, comb 6 may befabricated of ferromagnetic material. The manner of operation of thisembodiment is also as described above.

It will be seen that in each of the above embodiments a comb and avibrating cutter are held in engagement with appropriate firmness togive a close and comfortable shave independent of the pressure exertedupon the skin of the individual shaving. Furthermore, the means by whichsaid comb is held in the holding compartment of the shaver case permitssliding engagement between the inner surfaces of the side walls of saidcompartment, this being a type of engagement which substantiallyeliminates the danger of damage resulting from accidental shock to thecomb or to the case. Finally, the comb can readily be removed from thecase for the purpose of cleaning out beard dust or for replacing thecomb. Also, as is well known, where a cutter is held continually insliding engagement with a comb, the sharpness of the combination is notdecreased in use so that an excellent shave is obtained from such ashaver throughout its life.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above article without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. An improvement in a dry shaver including a vibrating cutter, a combengaging said cutter slidably and a case having side and end wallsdefining a compartment into which the end portions of said comb fit,wherein said improvement comprises magnetic means for holding said combslidably and removably against said side walls.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said comb is offerromagnetic material, said side walls are of non-ferromagneticmaterial and said magnetic means are permanent magnets secured to saidside walls.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said side walls are ofmolded plastic and said magnets are securely embedded therein, eachmagnet having a surface flush with the interior surface of thecorresponding side wall.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said side walls are ofmolded plastic, said magnets are securely embedded therein and only theend portions of said comb which fit within said side walls are offerromagnetic material.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding meanscomprises pins on the interior surfaces of said side walls and wallsdefining slots in said comb, said pins fitting within said slots forrelative motion therebetween.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said portions aremagnetized, the polarity of each end being related to the opposedpermanent magnet in said wall so that a north pole in said comb isproximate a south pole in said permanent magnet and vice versa.

1. An improvement in a dry shaver including a vibrating cutter, a combengaging said cutter slidably and a case having side and end wallsdefining a compartment into which the end portions of said comb fit,wherein said improvement comprises magnetic means for holding said combslidably and removably against said side walls.
 2. The improvement asdefined in claim 1 wherein said comb is of ferromagnetic material, saidside walls are of non-ferromagnetic material and said magnetic means arepermanent magnets secured to said side walls.
 3. The improvement asdefined in claim 2 wherein said side walls are of molded plastic andsaid magnets are securely embedded therein, each magnet having a surfaceflush with the interior surface of the corresponding side wall.
 4. Theimprovement as defined in claim 2 wherein said side walls are of moldedplastic, said magnets are securely embedded therein and only the endportions of said comb which fit within said side walls are offerromagnetic material.
 5. The improvement as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid side walls are of ferromagnetic material and said magnetic meansare permanent magnets secured to the end portions of said comb.
 6. Theimprovement as defined in claim 2 wherein the strength of said magnetsis such that said comb may slide across the surface of said magnetsunder external pressure exerted against the central portion of saidcomb, and holding means are provided in the areas of contact betweensaid side walls and said end portions for limiting the excursion of saidcomb under said pressure.
 7. The improvement as defined in claim 6wherein said holding means comprises pins on the interior surfaces ofsaid side walls and walls defining slots in said comb, said pins fittingwithin said slots for relative motion therebetween.
 8. The improvementas defined in claim 2, wherein said portions are magnetized, thepolarity of each end being related to the opposed permanent magnet insaid wall so that a north pole in said comb is proximate a south pole insaid permanent magnet and vice versa.